One sentence summary – Ann Marie Davies, a woman known for advocating for the rights of Kurdish people, was detained and questioned under counter-terrorism legislation at Bristol Airport after returning from a family holiday in Portugal, raising concerns about potential profiling and targeting of individuals within the Kurdish community and the need for a balanced approach to national security measures and the protection of individual rights.
At a glance
- A woman named Ann Marie Davies was detained for approximately four hours under counter-terrorism legislation at Bristol Airport.
- Ms. Davies was returning from a family holiday in Portugal when the incident occurred.
- She was questioned about her support for the banned Kurdish political party, the PKK, due to her advocacy for the rights of Kurdish people.
- The questioning may have been triggered by her role in organizing a Kurdish cultural event in Cardiff.
- This case raises concerns about potential profiling and targeting of individuals within the Kurdish community, highlighting ongoing challenges faced by those advocating for Kurdish rights.
The details
Ann Marie Davies, a 49-year-old woman, was recently detained for approximately four hours under counter-terrorism legislation at Bristol Airport.
Ms. Davies was returning from a family holiday in Portugal when the incident occurred.
She is known for advocating for the rights of Kurdish people and was questioned about her support for the banned Kurdish political party, the PKK.
The questioning may have been triggered by her role in organizing a Kurdish cultural event in Cardiff.
The situation began when Ms. Davies’ passport failed to swipe digitally at the airport.
This led to her being taken aside by airport officials.
She was separated from her 14-year-old daughter and partner during this time.
Throughout the experience, she was subjected to questioning.
Her DNA and fingerprints were also collected.
Ms. Davies remained uncertain if the interview was recorded.
Having taught English in Turkey 30 years ago, Ms. Davies believes that the questioning was directly related to her past involvement with the Kurdish community and the cultural event she organized.
A video of the said event was found on her phone.
Friends within the Kurdish community in Cardiff have reported being routinely stopped and questioned when traveling overseas.
The PKK, engaged in armed conflict against the Turkish government since 1984, is considered a terrorist organization by both the UK and Turkish governments.
The Home Office, which is responsible for immigration and security matters in the UK, stated that it cannot comment specifically on Ms. Davies’ case.
However, it highlighted that the Terrorism Act 2000 permits detention under such circumstances.
Following the incident, Ms. Davies expressed uncertainty about her rights and her ability to go on holiday freely in the future.
The Home Office clarified that Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 empowers port officers to stop, question, detain, and search individuals to determine their involvement in acts of terrorism.
This case raises concerns about the potential profiling and targeting of individuals within the Kurdish community.
It also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by those advocating for Kurdish rights.
As the incident gains attention, it underscores the need for a balanced approach to national security measures and the protection of individual rights.
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| bbc.co.uk |
|---|
| – A woman returning from a family holiday in Portugal was detained at an airport for about four hours under counter terrorism legislation. |
| – Ann Marie Davies, 49 from Swansea, was asked if she supported the banned Kurdish political party, the PKK. |
| – She has been an advocate for the rights of Kurdish people since teaching English in Turkey 30 years ago. – |
| The Home Office said it could not comment on individual cases but the Terrorism Act 2000 permitted detention. – Ms Davies’ passport failed to swipe digitally at Bristol Airport, leading to her being taken aside by airport officials. |
| – She was separated from her 14-year-old daughter and partner and questioned during the experience. – Her DNA and fingerprints were taken, and she was unsure if the interview was recorded. |
| – Ms Davies believes the questioning was related to her involvement in organizing a Kurdish cultural event in Cardiff. – |
| The event included poetry and dancing, and a video of the event was found on her phone. – |
| The PKK has been fighting against the Turkish government since 1984, and both the UK and Turkish governments consider it a terrorist organization. |
| – Friends in the Kurdish community in Cardiff have reported being routinely stopped and questioned when traveling overseas. |
| – Ms Davies expressed uncertainty about her rights and whether she can go on holiday again. – |
| The Home Office stated that Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 allows port officers to stop, question, detain, and search individuals to determine their involvement in acts of terrorism. |
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